Social Question

Ladies - where do you buy your pocketbooks from? What do you look for in a pocketbook?

Is your pocketbook a status symbol (in other words, expensive name brands, etc)? Or are you practical with what you buy? Do you buy your pocketbooks on the internet or do you like to feel them and see them in person before you buy them? Where do you get your pocketbooks from?

I am thinking of this topic because it’s fall and I feel like I would like to buy a new one soon. The one I have now was about $100 from Macy’s, I got it on sale for about $66 and it’s a “satchel” style, purple. I like a pocketbook that’s not too big and not too small, and my two real requirements are they have to be leather (unless it’s an incredible looking fake) and I prefer an unusual color, like green or purple, unless it’s just an outstanding looking black one.

I am curious what others look for in their pocketbooks. I am not looking for recommendations, necessarily, I am just looking to see how others purchase their’s and what they look for.

14 Answers

I like bags I see on Etsy or messenger bags I can find being sold around here in NYC. It can’t have too many pockets or zippers, it must be something I like to look at and it has to fit folders, yoga clothes, lunch and water bottle, together with Kindle or books. It has to have a long-ish strap. Brands don’t concern me and I think nothing on me is a status symbol although, by choice.

I buy my handbags and pocket books from brahminusa.com. It’s a brand I’ve shopped and collected since my teens because the quality is excellent and I have bags near 15 years old in near mint condition. My bags need to be hand held because I have small shoulders and the pocketbooks small because I carry only a few items:

I have a few coach bags and Ralph Lauren purses that are very well made.They last and have classic stying.I also have some less expensive bags.I just go for what I like and it’s usually not something trendy or with logos pasted all over it.

I buy bags from everywhere. My favorite bag that I use daily is a Kate Spade messenger bag that I got for my 12th birthday… 11 years later, it’s still my daily bag (soo worth the 140 bucks or whatever it was). My favorite “grown up” bag happens to be a Michael Kors but it is a classic – the style that Grace Kelly made popular back in the day. Plus, it’s in his Luggage color and will always go with everything. This bag was expensiveish, and yes, another birthday present but I will have it forever (I also have a matching watch and shoes!) I love Michael Kors stuff, not for the name brand, just because I like most of his styles and designs. And for gorgeous things, he’s not too overly priced.

I also love bags from stores like Urban Outfitters… they have great stuff for a variety of prices and I will buy them in the store or online. They have great sales online but sometimes because the bags aren’t too expensive they don’t hold up forever (although, some of them do). i know you’re not looking for recommendations but i suggest looking at urban online’s sale stuff before you buy anything!!

Ross or TJ Maxx! I don’t care about the brand unless it equals quality but I’ve found both for great prices. My favorite find was a pink leather Stone Mountain bag which retails for ungodly $$$ but I got on clearance at Ross for $22.

Most of the purses I own are from Forever 21. They’re cute, but not expensive. However, I do have a Coach bag which was a gift from my Mom. It depends really. Sometimes I want a black one, sometimes a white. The one I just bought this past week is this one and I absolutely adore it. It’s big enough to hold all of my things sketchbook included and is super cute as well.

If I had the money, I might buy something more expensive. Like the Fendi Spi Bag, however that thing costs biiiig bucks ^_^

@Blueroses: I had a Stone Mountain bag about 8 years ago, and within a very short period (a month, maybe?) the leather ripped around the snap, which was disappointing. I think, if i remember correctly, i saw that the bag was made in China. What was disappointing was that I would have thought they had better quality, because the name Stone Mountain has been around a long time.

@chels: love the new bag…. i got an amazing copy of the fendi spi bag in the mall (at a kiosk, not knowing it was a copy) a few years back. that bag is amazing… pockets for everything (there was even a kinda hidden tube like pocket that was perfect for a lighter and a joint – i’m actually convinced that’s what it was there for. i miss that bag! keep your eyes open!